Christmas in the Bush

I had a lot of fun with these 19th century Christmas projects. Although I am not craftily inclined (as you can no doubt see for yourself), I attempted some historical decorating. I started by harvesting some grapevine, rose hips, evergreens and boxwood from around the farm. No sign of Catharine's trailing wintergreen or any other native evergreen species in the woods near my house, so I made do with these European transplants. It took me a few tries to get the grapevine into a wreath shape but it was doable. I was delighted to go on my walk this afternoon and find so much colour still around, especially the wild roses and sumac that add some red to the mix.

"For in those days there was no dressing of the houses or churches with evergreens as is now so generally the custom. (...) I remember the first Christmas day I passed in Canada- being laughed at because I wandered out on to the plains near Peterboro', and brought in a wreath of the box-leaved trailing wintergreen ... and hanging it over the mantel piece, and above the pictures of my host's parlour, in honor of the day. It seemed to me these green branches might be held as emblems to remind us that we should keep faith bright and green within our hearts." - Catharine Parr Traill

The Female Emigrant's Guide